Expanding Mainline Progression

This game is incredible and the recent updates have been focusing on creativity and exploration, which is fine, given Minecraft is a sandbox. However, the mainline vertical progression feels like it's been sidelined.
I feel this game needs more depth granted to each progression stage, I see a lot of players, including my own friends quickly burnt out because they rush right to the Ender Dragon. Enhancing the game's linear progression would make the game a lot more fulfilling for average survival players!
Here's some of my ideas:
-Dynamic Difficulty/Settings, where the game gets progressively harder based on the players performance, achievements, or world age, optionally of course.
-Existing difficulty settings could also feel more distinct, current changes are very subtle.
-Gating progression by introducing early and midgame bosses/minibosses/challenges that provide functional gameplay utilities, like weapons, that greatly assist in the players journey to the End.
-Expanding on existing bosses, like requiring players to traverse dangerous biomes before reaching the Ender Dragon would also be super cool!
-Expanding the trial chamber concept into further stages, such as a surface level "ruins" structure conquered by pillagers, or a new Nether trial chamber.
-Replayability, major ingame milestones give you almost no reasons to revisit them when cleared. Adding some renewability would be great.
-Further unique mob/boss drops, specialized drops that aren't just trash or decorative items.